Will I make it from Los Angeles to San Jose?
In July, none of these popular EVs make it from Los Angeles to San Jose on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, none do. The biggest winter drain: 51°F cold costs 7%.
341 miles, about 5 h 6 min of driving. Leaving at 8 AM on a typical January and July day.
Check your own car and charge level
January and July, car by car
Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD
January · 51°F
No
Runs out about 125 mi short
51°F cold costs 6%
July · 81°F
No
Runs out about 121 mi short
Tejon Pass climb uses 5%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 51°F
No
Runs out about 108 mi short
Tejon Pass climb uses 6%
July · 81°F
No
Runs out about 104 mi short
Tejon Pass climb uses 6%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 51°F
No
Runs out about 141 mi short
51°F cold costs 6%
July · 81°F
No
Runs out about 136 mi short
Tejon Pass climb uses 5%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 51°F
No
Runs out about 134 mi short
51°F cold costs 6%
July · 81°F
No
Runs out about 128 mi short
Tejon Pass climb uses 4%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 51°F
No
Runs out about 147 mi short
51°F cold costs 7%
July · 81°F
No
Runs out about 142 mi short
Tejon Pass climb uses 5%
Yes means the low end of the range still arrives with 10% or more. Close means the likely answer does, but a colder or windier day might not. No means you'll need to stop.
Best fast-charging stops on the way
- Inventrust Stevenson Ranch Plaza (Stevenson Ranch, — Stevenson Ranch, CA · Electrify America · mile 33 · up to 350 kW
- Curry Parkway Chalios Mexican Restaurant (Kettleman, CA) — Kettleman City, CA · Electrify America · mile 175 · up to 350 kW
- Chase Bank - 17599 Monterey St — Morgan Hill, CA · EVgo · mile 320 · up to 350 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Los Angeles to San Jose in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 0 of 5 popular EVs make the 341-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 51°F.
Where should I charge between Los Angeles and San Jose?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Inventrust Stevenson Ranch Plaza (Stevenson Ranch, (mile 33); Curry Parkway Chalios Mexican Restaurant (Kettleman, CA) (mile 175); Chase Bank - 17599 Monterey St (mile 320). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
How much battery does the climb between Los Angeles and San Jose use?
In a Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD, the Tejon Pass climb uses about 6% of the battery on a January day. Coming down gives some of it back through regenerative braking, but not all of it.
What is the best EV for Los Angeles to San Jose?
None of the 5 popular EVs we check make it on a January day from a 90% start. The Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD gets closest, running out about 125 miles short. In July it arrives with about 0%.
How we work this out
Each answer drives the real road route in 30-meter steps: speed, climbs and descents (with regenerative braking), rolling resistance, cabin heating or cooling, a cold battery's lower capacity, and the typical wind. Temperatures are NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals for each place along the way. Every car is calibrated to its EPA highway rating. Each car starts at 90%.
Updated . Sources: Stadia Maps road routes and elevation, NOAA climate normals, fueleconomy.gov, and the U.S. DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center.